In addition to UFC 121, Strikeforce Challengers 11 and Bellator 33, some notables were in action in regional shows across the globe. Shinya Aoki was one of the biggest names.

Aoki picked up a win came at Sunday’s historic DEEP 50 event at JCB Hall in Tokyo.

The DREAM lightweight champion, who launched his illustrious MMA career with the DEEP promotion back in 2003, made quick work of Thai boxer Yokthai and MMA newcomer Yokthai Sithoar with a 60-second submission victory via keylock.

Aoki (26-5), once considered the world’s No. 1 lightweight fighter, is now 6-1 over his past seven fights. The lone loss came back in April, when Strikeforce lightweight champ Gilbert Melendez dominated the Japanese fighter via decision in a five-round title fight.

Brett Rogers (11-2), fighting for the first time since a title loss to Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem in May, competed at Saturday’s “W-1 MMA 6: New Ground” event in Canada and scored a unanimous-decision victory over journeyman Ruben “Warpath” Villareal (18-19-3).

Former WEC middleweight champion Paulo Filho (20-2-1) suffered just his second career loss after dropping a unanimous decision to light heavyweight Marcos Rogerio de Lima (7-0) at Saturday’s First Class Fighting event in Brazil. After a non-title loss to Chael Sonnen at WEC 36 in 2008, Filho left the WEC and struggled with personal problem but still rebounded for a 4-0-1 run before this weekend’s defeat.

Former EliteXC champion Murilo “Ninja” Rua (20-11-1), who was rumored to be in preliminary contract discussions with the UFC earlier this year, snapped a four-fight win streak with a unanimous-decision loss to Team Cesar Gracie fighter Roy Boughton (5-1) at the same W-1 event.

Additionally, former Shark Fights featherweight champion and ex-UFC fighter Doug Evans (11-7) also picked up a win on the W-1 card with a third-round rear-naked choke of Tristan Johnson (5-2).

PRIDE/UFC vet Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (9-8) continued a recent skid with a third-round TKO loss to Shamil Abdurahimov (11-1) at a Friday Abu Dhabi Fighting Championship event in the United Arab Emirates. The fight was part of the upstart organization’s open-weight grand-prix semifinal round. It marked Sokoudjou’s fourth loss in his past six fights.

And finally, in a fight that dropped her pro record to sub-.500, former Strikeforce co-headliner Kim Couture (3-4) dropped a unanimous decision to Munah Holland (1-0) at Saturday’s Ring of Combat 32 event in Atlantic City.

(Pictured: Shinya Aoki)

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(UPDATED at 12:30 p.m. ET on 10/25/10 with information on Filho’s and Sokoudjou’s fights. Thanks to reader “Matt P.” for the assist.)

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